Socket Organization

[moparfreak]

I want to finally bring all my sockets together into one shelf of my tool chest. From everything I've heard, the Hansen organizers are the best.

I see them at sears for $12 to $14 bucks a pop. Since I would need twelve of them for all the combos (1/4"/3/8"/1/2", SAE/Metric, 6pt/12pt), that amounts to about $130.

Does anyone know of either a better/cheaper way to organize the sockets, or at least a cheaper place to find those nice hansen organizers?

Thanks!

Adam

 

[davejs]

I got one from the Mac Tools guy for about $18 I needed 3 for all the above listed and more.

 

[kartracer55]

You wont find those trays cheaper than 10$ a piece new, unless you score an awesoem deal on ebay.

I have mixed feelings about those trays. On the larger and smaller sizes, sometimes the holes in the sockets dont fit over the pegs. Ive noticed this with snap on and SK sockets. The majority of mine are on metal rails, although 2 sets of my SK sockets are in the "stock" metal trays. I really like the plastic socket racks youc anget from sears... the are just like the metal ones but made of plastic, and the clips dont wear out liek the metal ones do because they have a ball retainer like on the end of a ratchet.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...OOL&pid=00941843000&subcat=Socket+Accessories

they come in all different sizes and you can mix and match the drive size clips if you have a full range of bit sockets you want to keep together. These have my vote, when the rest of my metal oens wear out, I will be buying more of these

Jim

 

[motorheadjohn]

I used metal clip rails for years and they did me fine, but now with the bigger tool box I finally have a drawer tall enough for the stand-up Hansen racks. I bought mine at Chryslers at Carlisle, from one of the tool vendors in the swap meet. They had the best prices I've found anywhere. I'm diggin them....

 

[Fast Orange]

I'll second KR's suggestion and add a little more info-
Matco also sells these rails and clips-available in red and blue and in several different lengths. The clips are interchangable between the brands.
I set up my sockets on the Matco rails-red for SAE sizes and blue for metrics.

George

 

[kartracer55]

I'll second KR's suggestion and add a little more info-
Matco also sells these rails and clips-available in red and blue and in several different lengths. The clips are interchangable between the brands.
I set up my sockets on the Matco rails-red for SAE sizes and blue for metrics.

George

I got mine branded kobalt at lowes. blue for metric grey for SAE, Its all danaher, so get them wherever they are cheapest

 

[drbill]

I only have one Hanson rack but they are the sockets I used the most.3/8 drive metric shallow and deep. It was easy to take the whole set to the job and swap sockets as needed. Most of my Mac sockets are still in there original metal trays which aren't bad either.
All I have at work now are metal rails and clips. But working on a few models of one brand you only use a few sockets most of the time.

 

[Steve_S]

I picked up a bunch of plain metal strips and rivoted them into a rack. I have a small bin of clips so I can mix and match as I see fit. The only disadvantage of this is that I have to transfer the sockets I want to something else if I want to take them somewhere else. Because of this, I plan to change the design from rivots to upside-down screws. Then the strips will simply drop onto the protruding screws.

 

[eschoendorff]

I like the socket rails that jim described. All my SK sockets have come on those rails.

I still use the metal clip-type, though. They are cheap, you can find extra parts anywhere, and you can mount them to a piece of wood and set it in the bottoom of your drawer if you'd like. Granted, the sizes aren't as easy to read this way, but it's the same with those plastic rails, too.

I don't have any of the Hansen type, mostly because I'd rather spend the money on more tools than on fancy socket holders. And, I honestly feel that the Hansens don't really make the best use of available space. But, then again, taht's my opinion. Oh, and here's another: don't buy the plastic Ernst-type socket clips/rails. Those things are a major PITA and they're just really cheaply designed. Of course, you could fabricate your own and put the dowels wherever you wanted them....

 

[l_bilyk]

After much protest i bent over and bought the hansen trays

The socket rails drive me nuts, and hansen has a panent on their trays so you're SOL for another few years

 

[moparfreak]

does anyone have a pic of the matco trays? I'm curious...

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I ordered a few sets from Summit Racing, the 3/8 metric and SAE racks (2) are around $20

Nice deal

 

[dink]

I have yet to find these sold anywere.....this is my pot of gold

http://www.hansenglobalinc.com/page10138.html

 

[z28toz06]

http://www.mcfeelys.com/product.asp?productID=SST-1003

I know I found them cheaper than this. I'm still looking. I love these things everything is right at your finger tips.

 

[moparfreak]

After a bit of searching, the cheapest I found the hansen stuff was on atoolcrib.com

http://www.atoolcrib.com/catalog/index.php?manufacturers_id=231&sort=4a&page=1

With the 1/2" at $11.24 and the 3/8" and 1/4" at $9.79, it beats the Sears double packs by a few dollars.

While I do agree w/ some that it would probably be better to stick it out w/ the annoying metal rails and spend the 100 bucks on some other tools, it would be nice to have ONE place to put my sockets, have em easy to reach and read, and never worry about it again.

Right now, my sockets are split up among about 8 different drawers/tool boxes/storage cases and i'm a bit fed up.

Plus, once I've got everything in one place, I can figure out what I dont' have and fill in the holes....

 

[BoostAddiction]

Socket organization

I guess I should share what I am planning to do to solve the socket organization problem in my garage.

Right now I have the Hansens, and they are the best solution so far. But...they have a few problems, notably that they have spaces for sockets I don't have and probably never will have, and conversely, they don't have places for all the sockets I do have, including duplicates (who only needs one 9/16" or 13mm socket?). In addition, they don't make perfect use of the space I do have for them. By that I mean that I have unused space where the length of the holders doesn't add up to the width or depth of the drawers where they are stored. Finally, they don't allow one to organize anything other than sockets (meaning, no specific place for the related tools I normally store with my sockets like extensions, ratchets, etc.

So, what is the solution?

After some thought, I am now creating (using a CAD program) a layout of every socket I own or want to own in a 23.5 X 23.5" drawer organizer that will be cut using a laser. The laser will also engrave the size of the socket or accessory to make it clear what goes where. The organizer will be cut from aluminum that I will bend in a box to let the sockets drop into, to help locate them. I may make it in stepped heights to allow for deep sockets.

This solution maximizes storage density, provides for duplicates as needed or as present, eliminates wasted space for unused or unavailable sockets, allows any number of ratches and accessories to be stored efficiently as well, and offers a clear, visual indication of any missing pieces.

I haven't finished the layout yet (it's a little redious) but will post pics when it is done for the collective to see.

I think it will be the ultimate organizer solution for me.

-Will

 

[gerry]

Man, I'm happy with them sorted in baskets by drive size. I always keep 4 or 5 extra 1/2', 7/16" close by

 

[Pitalplace]

moparfreak, what did toolcrib hook you for shipping?

 

[z28toz06]

http://www.everhartsales.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=5434&Page=2

http://www.nationalonlinetools.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1117

 

[moparfreak]

I haven't ordered yet, but on everhardsales.com there's free shipping on orders above $100, so if you combine it w/ something else you could get it sent fro free. Otherwise the prices are comparable w/ the lowest I've seen it at.

Adam

 

[Runner94]

I just bought some stuff from these guys. I bought direct and they only sell by mail. You have to download an Acrobat PDF file, print it then mail the order in. It took about 2 weeks but the quality is very good and IT'S MADE IN THE USA!!! They also sell at other sites but I just dealt directly instead of with another dealer.

www.ernstmfg.com

Just my 2 cents. Give them a look!

 

[79rallysport]

Northern Tool has the hansen trays for a good price. I've always had good customer service and quick shipping with Northern.

 

[dink]

I used to use these and I still have one actually

Defently a good socket holder

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00934513000

 

[79rallysport]

I used to use these and I still have one actually

Defently a good socket holder

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00934513000

Those take up WAY too much space for the amount of sockets they hold.

 

[dink]

True but that were a nice thing to have

 

[eschoendorff]

I guess I should share what I am planning to do to solve the socket organization problem in my garage.

Right now I have the Hansens, and they are the best solution so far. But...they have a few problems, notably that they have spaces for sockets I don't have and probably never will have, and conversely, they don't have places for all the sockets I do have, including duplicates (who only needs one 9/16" or 13mm socket?). In addition, they don't make perfect use of the space I do have for them. By that I mean that I have unused space where the length of the holders doesn't add up to the width or depth of the drawers where they are stored. Finally, they don't allow one to organize anything other than sockets (meaning, no specific place for the related tools I normally store with my sockets like extensions, ratchets, etc.

So, what is the solution?

After some thought, I am now creating (using a CAD program) a layout of every socket I own or want to own in a 23.5 X 23.5" drawer organizer that will be cut using a laser. The laser will also engrave the size of the socket or accessory to make it clear what goes where. The organizer will be cut from aluminum that I will bend in a box to let the sockets drop into, to help locate them. I may make it in stepped heights to allow for deep sockets.

This solution maximizes storage density, provides for duplicates as needed or as present, eliminates wasted space for unused or unavailable sockets, allows any number of ratches and accessories to be stored efficiently as well, and offers a clear, visual indication of any missing pieces.

I haven't finished the layout yet (it's a little redious) but will post pics when it is done for the collective to see.

I think it will be the ultimate organizer solution for me.

-Will

Now this sounds promising. I'd be very interested to see how this works out for you. Please do post some pics when you are able.

 

[kartracer55]

Dink, One thing I could see being a problemw ith those is the fact that they are magnetic. If your like me, and your tool box is close to where you do your grinding and cutting, youll get biig buildups of metal dust all over them.

Jim

 

[dink]

Hahahaaa yea that is true....I will remember that next time I am doing metal grinding here in my office

 

[moparfreak]

So I went to the local Sears today and played around w/ the different socket organizers and placing them in the tool chests. My conclusion: Definitely not getting the hansens. Aside from the prohibitive cost, it really is a waste of space unless you've got every single damn socket size known to mankind.

I've been looking real closely at that Ernst Manufacturing link that was posted and I like that system a lot, and it's definitely cheaper. I also decided I want something flexible, that can be changed w/ pins added/taken away as I buy more sockets and try to make em fit. The goal here is I only want to spend one drawer on em.

There sort of a cheap version of the Ernst stuff also at Sears, where you can get three rails w/ 8 pins each for 10 bucks. But there isn't a good labeling system, so I think I might go w/ the Ernst system.

Adam

 

[eschoendorff]

So I went to the local Sears today and played around w/ the different socket organizers and placing them in the tool chests. My conclusion: Definitely not getting the hansens. Aside from the prohibitive cost, it really is a waste of space unless you've got every single damn socket size known to mankind.

I've been looking real closely at that Ernst Manufacturing link that was posted and I like that system a lot, and it's definitely cheaper. I also decided I want something flexible, that can be changed w/ pins added/taken away as I buy more sockets and try to make em fit. The goal here is I only want to spend one drawer on em.

There sort of a cheap version of the Ernst stuff also at Sears, where you can get three rails w/ 8 pins each for 10 bucks. But there isn't a good labeling system, so I think I might go w/ the Ernst system.

Adam

Just try getting a socket off one of the Ernst rails with oily hands. Good Luck. They may be made in the USA, but I fail to see how they are a better system that the metal clips on rails. Also, will those plastic pieces still be flexible in colder weather? As for a flexible system with additional pins - again we're back to the metal clip socket holders (most cost effective). And they are on sale at HF for -get this - .50 for a whole rail! That's about .30 more than they are worth and they are Chinese, but where do you think all of the other ones come from?

 

[moparfreak]

Well, I've finally decided. eschoendorff's little rant was enough to convince me. I went to HF this morning and picked up 6 dollars worth of metal rails, a total of twelve, 4 of each drive. There's enough room for 192 sockets, which should be more than enough. Tonight, I'm going to fasten them to aluminum strips and mount them in my tool chest. Consider that 100 bucks saved to be spent on my next toy.

Adam

 

[URY914]

Why not make your own Hanson type holders out of wood dowels. Than you arrange them as you need to and lable as you need.

I still don't like how tall they are for deep sockets. Can't fit into my drawers.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I just received my Hansen socket holders today from Summit Racing, I bought two 1/2" drives (one for metric and one for SAE), two for 3/8" drive and two for 1/4" drive. Plus I got 2 of them Hansen trays that you can put hex sockets and phillips sockets on.

After putting them all in one drawer, 6 hansen trays and only 1 flat Hansen tray I noticed pretty quick I had alot of empty pegs dying for sockets. Let me tell you that if you plan on using the flat trays for your 3/8" impact swival socets that they won't even fit

 

[G1K]

Has anyone considered one of these? I think I found it in McMaster Carr or MSC

Ryan

 

[dink]

Has anyone considered one of these? I think I found it in McMaster Carr or MSC

Ryan

That isnt bad....perfect if your working out of a tool bag

 

[l_bilyk]

Has anyone considered one of these? I think I found it in McMaster Carr or MSC

Ryan

I have 2. One for metric impacts and one for SAE.

 

[JohnZ]

I use these molded plastic organizers for sockets and wrenches in my main bench chests and in my rollaways - about $15 each (for either style) from catalog outfits like Eastwood, Sporty's, etc. - I have about twelve of them.

 

[dink]

I have the wrench one and I like it alot....very tidy looking

 

[cudacharlie]

You guys ever seen these?

http://www.mechanicstimesavers.com/shop/product.asp?catID=1

Magnetized bases AND socket holes, many sizes, zillions of colors, what's the catch?

I haven't got any yet, but I like how they look. Color code by metric/SAE and/or 6/12 etc. etc. etc.

 

[moparfreak]

The catch is spending 20 bucks to hold 8 sockets.

meanwhile, I completed my 12 rail socket rack. I've got pics that I'll put up soon, but I'm very happy w/ it. Mainly cause it cost 6 bucks and will hold 192 sockets neatly in my drawer w/ room for more...

Adam